Ep. 25 - Are Christians Allowed to Be Financially Rich?

Discern Daily
Are Christians Allowed to Be Financially Rich?
The Bible says a lot about money, but it's difficult for people to give their finances over to God. Christians today should have a proper understanding of how to handle money and worship God with it. Bible Gateway published a helpful post, titled, "What Does the Bible Say about Wealth and Prosperity?," adapted from a book by Costi W. Hinn. Let's walk through the post together and seek the truth.

[embed]https://youtu.be/sdjSR9Kd7EU[/embed]
Quotes From Costi W. Hinn
“Is God opposed to a Christian making a high salary? What’s wrong with an employer rewarding an employee for doing his job? Should Christians take a vow of poverty and purposely try to suffer? Is poverty God’s will for us?"

“Bragging about not buying shoes (when you can) or using a verse about rich people not getting into heaven to excuse yourself from being a steward is no better than a prosperity preacher living on the other side of the spectrum."

“Probably the most important stewardship principle to remember is this: God owns everything. God owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Ps. 50:10); he owns everything under heaven, for that matter (Job 41:11). The psalmist declares, 'The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it' (Ps. 24:1). There is no arguing with the Bible on who owns everything. God does."

"Even though wealth is not guaranteed on earth, God does give the opportunity to gain wealth. You may say, 'Nobody gave me wealth—I earned it!' The children of Israel thought the same thing, but Moses reminded them that it was God who was blessing them based solely on his sovereign will. Deuteronomy 8:17–18 says, 'You may say in your heart, "My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth." But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.' If God has blessed you with wealth, you ought to humbly thank him and realize that you have a great responsibility. Speaking to the rich, John writes, 'But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth' (1 John 3:17–18)."

“Sure, it’s biblical and prudent to leave an inheritance for your children (Prov. 13:22), and it’s good to work hard and save for the future (Prov. 6:6). But you know what the greatest purpose of wealth is? To advance the gospel and do God’s will!”

Read the full post on the Bible Gateway Blog here.
Episode Highlights
There's a spectrum to acknowledge — some Christians believe in a prosperity gospel, and some believe in a poverty gospel. They both fall off track.

What the Bible says about money is not for richer Christians only. Every Christian must faithfully steward the finances that God provides for them.

God is Lord over all creation. He owns what we have. What we have came from him. If our wealth grew from our hard work, God still deserves the glory because he gave us the ability to work.

Money is a resource we should use to promote change and increase gospel works. Far too often, we just use money to comfort ourselves.

Having money isn’t sinful; loving money is. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered

Discern Daily
Are Christians Allowed to Be Financially Rich?
The Bible says a lot about money, but it's difficult for people to give their finances over to God. Christians today should have a proper understanding of how to handle money and worship God with it. Bible Gateway published a helpful post, titled, "What Does the Bible Say about Wealth and Prosperity?," adapted from a book by Costi W. Hinn. Let's walk through the post together and seek the truth.

[embed]https://youtu.be/sdjSR9Kd7EU[/embed]
Quotes From Costi W. Hinn
“Is God opposed to a Christian making a high salary? What’s wrong with an employer rewarding an employee for doing his job? Should Christians take a vow of poverty and purposely try to suffer? Is poverty God’s will for us?"

“Bragging about not buying shoes (when you can) or using a verse about rich people not getting into heaven to excuse yourself from being a steward is no better than a prosperity preacher living on the other side of the spectrum."

“Probably the most important stewardship principle to remember is this: God owns everything. God owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Ps. 50:10); he owns everything under heaven, for that matter (Job 41:11). The psalmist declares, 'The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it' (Ps. 24:1). There is no arguing with the Bible on who owns everything. God does."

"Even though wealth is not guaranteed on earth, God does give the opportunity to gain wealth. You may say, 'Nobody gave me wealth—I earned it!' The children of Israel thought the same thing, but Moses reminded them that it was God who was blessing them based solely on his sovereign will. Deuteronomy 8:17–18 says, 'You may say in your heart, "My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth." But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.' If God has blessed you with wealth, you ought to humbly thank him and realize that you have a great responsibility. Speaking to the rich, John writes, 'But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth' (1 John 3:17–18)."

“Sure, it’s biblical and prudent to leave an inheritance for your children (Prov. 13:22), and it’s good to work hard and save for the future (Prov. 6:6). But you know what the greatest purpose of wealth is? To advance the gospel and do God’s will!”

Read the full post on the Bible Gateway Blog here.
Episode Highlights
There's a spectrum to acknowledge — some Christians believe in a prosperity gospel, and some believe in a poverty gospel. They both fall off track.

What the Bible says about money is not for richer Christians only. Every Christian must faithfully steward the finances that God provides for them.

God is Lord over all creation. He owns what we have. What we have came from him. If our wealth grew from our hard work, God still deserves the glory because he gave us the ability to work.

Money is a resource we should use to promote change and increase gospel works. Far too often, we just use money to comfort ourselves.

Having money isn’t sinful; loving money is. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs” (1 Timothy 6:10).
Share Your Thoughts
Did you find the post from Bible Gateway helpful? What kind of challenges do you face regarding finances and faith? How has the gospel message impacted your finances? Do you think it is sinful for Christians to be wealthy? If you found this episode useful, share about it on social media.